Between Thurnar and Burik, the entire tunnel is pulsating with energy. You can all feel in it in your blood. As Burik expels the darkness toward the opening, the distortion in the air slowly disappears, and it looks as if the gateway might be closed. Thurnar walks over, also exhausted, and waves his hand around where the ghouls came through.
"Hm," he pulls his hand back. "That might have actually worked! Ha!"
Thurnar then goes over to Burik, casting Cure Wounds again (Burik regains 15 HP). He then goes back to his makeshift camp and pulls out a torch. Lighting it, he walks around to each of the ghouls and lights their remnants on fire. "Don't know if this is necessary, but I've been doing it to them all. Don't need them coming back while we're trying to rest."
He stands next to Effort as they both watch Burik checking over his wounds. When she questions the darkness, he speaks up. "Death and darkness are just as powerful as life and light. They are two sides of the same coin. Neither one inherently good or bad...they are what we make of them. Death can be a powerful ally, and a powerful tool. Every talhund knows this deep within. And will eventually learn to harness the energy the way our friend Burik was just able to do. Dumathoin makes sure of it."
Walking back to the little camp, he gets the campfire going again. He kicks a few pieces of cave fisher shell as he walks around the tunnel. "A little bit of meat left if anyone is hungry, although it doesn't look like it'll last long. Honestly, I plan on heading back out to the village after a nap. I know I just spoke of darkness...but damn, I could use a few rays of sunshine after the past few weeks down here. I know our paths will soon diverge, at least for now...but it's up to you if you want to come back with me to the west or continue your travels through the tunnels to the east. There's supposedly a way through, although I never made it that far."
As the wounds close up and blood flow slows, Burik staggers to his feet. "Whoever said I was a priest?" He lets out a small smirk at this.
He nods along to the other Dwarf's take on the darkness, "Indeed, is the night evil or the day good. Is old age bad or youth good? And besides if you're walking through like with death, it's sure as hell better to have him on your side."
Burik then moves forwards to inspect where the gateway was, seemingly agreeing with Thurnar. "Safe? I doubt it, but I think we'll need the rest before heading forward or back. And besides there's enough of us to keep watch, and Thurnar's cleared the area of critters." He kicks an empty shell.
I'll take first watch, says Brask. He wanders over to where the gateway was along with Burik, and stabs at the air with his maul. He shakes his head. Well, at least we might get some gifts from your village. Some more free drinks, maybe? He sighs at the lack of profit from this venture, but recovers his good humour in a moment. Heh. I smashed two of 'em, did you see the heads explode? He wipes some gore off himself, and then settles down to clean his maul off properly and keep watch as the others begin to rest.
"Thanks, Brask. Cadmael and I will take the second watch," Effort says, re-stoking the fire. She takes some time to clean up the worst of the ghoul-gore, both from herself and the campsite, before settling down for a much-needed rest.
The next few hours pass without incidence. While Effort and Cadmael keep watch, a few rats scurry about at the far end of the tunnel, perhaps foraging for bits of cave fisher flesh. They don't get too close to the light. Everyone may perform a long rest.
When everyone is up, Thurnar offers more cave fisher blood to drink. "I suppose I should have some water when I get back to the village," he jokes as he takes a deep swig. "Have you all discussed your next move? I'd certainly say coming back out the way you came will be safer...although going through the mountain will get you to your next destination a bit quicker. I know you are needed elsewhere...so many evils, coming at us from all directions. These ghouls are being sent by something, or someone. I need to find out what, or who."
Burik seems remarkably better upon waking from the long rest , "The exact path of our journey, I leave up to the others."
Burik checks on the others before taking Thurnar to one side, "Although the ghouls were a significant evil and menace, and may well have led to some of miners deaths... There is something else down there. Something that has already killed me once, but worse than that sent me to the realm in between... Where predators lurk. To push deeper is suicide, even for you... Tread softly."
He rejoins the others, "So where to? Onwards through the mountain, over it, or around?"
We take your buddy back home, right? Brask says. I don't like a job half done. And there might be a reward. The tall minotaur looks around the dark, cramped tunnels, and he doesn't like what he sees. I'm definitely sticking with 'round the mountain', not 'under the mountain'. And we have a gold dragon baby to find. Hey, you. Seen a gold dragon baby recently?
Effort nods quietly. Something about this place is alluring to her, despite the obvious dangers thrown in her face. She feels stronger here, more powerful... it's tempting to want to stay. She looks at Cadmael, who is giving her an unblinking stare with his unsettling eyes.
"... it might be better to return to the surface," she says reluctantly. "Lest we lose sight of our original goal... to find cultists, not abominations in these mines."
"Gold dragon?" Thurnar raises an eyebrow. "Last gold dragons are supposed to be up a bit further north, in the tallest peaks and valleys of the White Wind Mountains. I suspect you'll make your way there soon enough. That's where the other talhunds are as well. Although I haven't had any visions or messages from them 'bout dragons. Especially not gold ones. I was beginning to think their continued existence was just a rumor."
Thurnar begins to pack up his camp, stuffing things haphazardly into his bag. "Not sure what kind of reward the village is going to be able to muster. Although I'd appreciate the company out of here." He looks over to Effort and gets a bit more serious. "Cultists, aye. I've heard rumblings of them serving one of the demon lords. 'Round here though the concern is whatever is sending these things up from the dark. Might be that the two forces are at odds. Don't know. But I ain't never heard of gnolls and ghouls hanging around the same spot."
Less talk, more walk,says Brask. He sets off back the way they came, towards Burik's village, shaking his head. Demons and ghouls and dog cultists, he mutters. Well, so long as I'm getting paid, it's all good.
On the way, he will try to tempt Cadmael over to spend some of the journey perched on his shoulder. There may be scritches on offer...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cadmael ruffles his wings and looks aloof.
Effort rolls her eyes, however, as she can practically hear the bird drooling in her mind. If you want affection that badly, go over and take him up on his offer,she tells the bird. You're certainly not getting it from me right now, little traitor.
Cadmael opens one eye halfway to glare at Effort, before taking wing and settling on Brask's shoulder. His aloof stance would be much more effective, if he wasn't ducking his head invitingly towards Brask's waiting finger, though.
"Yes, let's get out of here. It's making some of us act a bit strangely," Effort says with a smirk towards Cadmael.
Don't forget your duties even if you enjoy your new perch,she reminds Cadmael. If something attacks us, those head massages are going to vanish quickly.
Cadmael's eyes open fully, though he remains where he is.
You start to head back out the way you came. Getting back over the rock fall is tough work, but between the four of you it's done within a few minutes. The rest of the way is mostly easy going. Cadmael does perk up a few times. There is movement elsewhere within these tunnels...it's hard to pinpoint where. Echoes coming from deep within.
Burik and Thurnar continue to lead you out the most direct path - the way you came in. Two or three times something catches Thurnar's eye and he goes over and picks at the wall with his axe. "Hmph." He drops the pieces of rock onto the ground. Must have been nothing.
The stale air of the deep tunnels slowly transforms as you climb upward into the main part of the mining operation. It becomes a bit fresher, and you sense that you're almost back out.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As they walk through the tunnels, out of idle curiosity Effort tries to guess what Thurnar was looking for. The third time he discards a rock after grunting, she stops to pick it up and turn it over in her hands a few time. Then she studies the wall where it came from thoughtfully.
Investigation 5
If the rock is as worthless as Thurnar believes it to be, Effort simply tosses it back to the ground and follows the others out. She relays the information Cadmael presents to her:
"Cadmael can sense movement within the mountain... we may want to warn the village that whatever is out there, is growing more active. Maybe placing wards or alarm spells at the entrance of the mine, where it's still relatively safe, might be advisable... if you cannot halt what is down there right now, at least you can have the villagers prepared to defend or flee against what might come out."
The rock you pick up looks like...well, a rock. You can't find anything interesting about it as you turn it over in your palm.
"Movement, huh? I've encountered quite a few critters down here...cave fishers all over, piercers, darkmantles, even an angler worm far off in the depths. Couple of dogmoles hanging around near the entrance, too. Could be any one of those things scampering around near the gold veins or down where they mine for gems."
The big dwarf is right that it wasn't coming from one place, Cadmael reaches out to Effort. Movement from a few different directions. Maybe different sizes...too distant to tell.
Dogmoles? What’s a dogmole? Brask is idly smoothing Cadmael as he walks, enjoying the bird’s silent company.
So, you folks dig here all the time, right? Some of these... things you mentioned, they’re normal, right? I mean, there’s monsters everywhere, that’s just how the world is. But others are new?
Brask is now only half listening to the rest of the conversation, as he continues to pet Cadmael and wonders how dogmole tastes.
"Dogmoles are...well, they're kind of what they sound like. Big moles the size of dogs. They often burrow into dwarven tunnels and then end up nesting there. Some ancient families even kept them as pets. They can be nasty, but if you feed 'em and keep 'em safe they make loyal companions." Thurnar stops to take a swig from his water skin, which you presume is filled with cave fisher blood. "Aye, most of these creatures have been down here all along...though they seem to have become more brazen in recent times, coming up to the surface and attacking folks when they typically would stay in the depths. And the undead ghouls...they're new. Bad omens, to be sure."
"Desecrated ground... it sounds like you need holy men in here, not adventurers," Effort says. She looks at Burik. "What do you think of all this? You've been unusually silent about what we saw down there. Are you really going to be okay if we push forward down the coast?"
Once they get closer to the surface, Effort thinks about the rainstorm they weathered getting to the village. "...maybe I'll also pick up a tent before we push on. The weather outside was almost as unpleasant as this mine's depths."
"I think by the time this thing reaches a full boil, we're going to need everyone we can get. Holy men and atheists alike," Thurnar takes on a much more serious tone.
You finally emerge back out of the tunnel, with the sun mid-way up the eastern sky. There's a chill, but it doesn't bother you as the fresh air fills your lungs.
"Well, I know where I'm heading," Thurnar pats his stomach. "Be sure to find me before you leave town."
He looks around the village, and calls out in a loud voice: We killed your monster. Um, one of 'em.
(Is there any response?)
I like your village, he says to Burik. Good people. Good place to grow up. Visit sometimes. He shakes his head. Not for living. Not for making money or getting ahead. That's what it's all about, and it ain't happening here. He pats his maul. Rest up tonight I guess, but it's time to move on, eh?
As you all exit the tunnel, a few dwarves on the outskirts of the village notice you and watch as you start to come down the hill. When Brask speaks up, even more stop and watch. A handful nudge each other and whisper back and forth. Most continue walking through the village, watching and walking, but a few stop and stand nearby, waiting to hear what the hulking minotaur has to say.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Above & Below
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Between Thurnar and Burik, the entire tunnel is pulsating with energy. You can all feel in it in your blood. As Burik expels the darkness toward the opening, the distortion in the air slowly disappears, and it looks as if the gateway might be closed. Thurnar walks over, also exhausted, and waves his hand around where the ghouls came through.
"Hm," he pulls his hand back. "That might have actually worked! Ha!"
Thurnar then goes over to Burik, casting Cure Wounds again (Burik regains 15 HP). He then goes back to his makeshift camp and pulls out a torch. Lighting it, he walks around to each of the ghouls and lights their remnants on fire. "Don't know if this is necessary, but I've been doing it to them all. Don't need them coming back while we're trying to rest."
He stands next to Effort as they both watch Burik checking over his wounds. When she questions the darkness, he speaks up. "Death and darkness are just as powerful as life and light. They are two sides of the same coin. Neither one inherently good or bad...they are what we make of them. Death can be a powerful ally, and a powerful tool. Every talhund knows this deep within. And will eventually learn to harness the energy the way our friend Burik was just able to do. Dumathoin makes sure of it."
Walking back to the little camp, he gets the campfire going again. He kicks a few pieces of cave fisher shell as he walks around the tunnel. "A little bit of meat left if anyone is hungry, although it doesn't look like it'll last long. Honestly, I plan on heading back out to the village after a nap. I know I just spoke of darkness...but damn, I could use a few rays of sunshine after the past few weeks down here. I know our paths will soon diverge, at least for now...but it's up to you if you want to come back with me to the west or continue your travels through the tunnels to the east. There's supposedly a way through, although I never made it that far."
DM - Above & Below
As the wounds close up and blood flow slows, Burik staggers to his feet. "Whoever said I was a priest?" He lets out a small smirk at this.
He nods along to the other Dwarf's take on the darkness, "Indeed, is the night evil or the day good. Is old age bad or youth good? And besides if you're walking through like with death, it's sure as hell better to have him on your side."
Burik then moves forwards to inspect where the gateway was, seemingly agreeing with Thurnar. "Safe? I doubt it, but I think we'll need the rest before heading forward or back. And besides there's enough of us to keep watch, and Thurnar's cleared the area of critters." He kicks an empty shell.
I'll take first watch, says Brask. He wanders over to where the gateway was along with Burik, and stabs at the air with his maul. He shakes his head. Well, at least we might get some gifts from your village. Some more free drinks, maybe? He sighs at the lack of profit from this venture, but recovers his good humour in a moment. Heh. I smashed two of 'em, did you see the heads explode? He wipes some gore off himself, and then settles down to clean his maul off properly and keep watch as the others begin to rest.
Perception 18
"Thanks, Brask. Cadmael and I will take the second watch," Effort says, re-stoking the fire. She takes some time to clean up the worst of the ghoul-gore, both from herself and the campsite, before settling down for a much-needed rest.
Perception Effort: 18
Perception Cadmael: 13
The next few hours pass without incidence. While Effort and Cadmael keep watch, a few rats scurry about at the far end of the tunnel, perhaps foraging for bits of cave fisher flesh. They don't get too close to the light. Everyone may perform a long rest.
When everyone is up, Thurnar offers more cave fisher blood to drink. "I suppose I should have some water when I get back to the village," he jokes as he takes a deep swig. "Have you all discussed your next move? I'd certainly say coming back out the way you came will be safer...although going through the mountain will get you to your next destination a bit quicker. I know you are needed elsewhere...so many evils, coming at us from all directions. These ghouls are being sent by something, or someone. I need to find out what, or who."
DM - Above & Below
Burik seems remarkably better upon waking from the long rest , "The exact path of our journey, I leave up to the others."
Burik checks on the others before taking Thurnar to one side, "Although the ghouls were a significant evil and menace, and may well have led to some of miners deaths... There is something else down there. Something that has already killed me once, but worse than that sent me to the realm in between... Where predators lurk. To push deeper is suicide, even for you... Tread softly."
He rejoins the others, "So where to? Onwards through the mountain, over it, or around?"
We take your buddy back home, right? Brask says. I don't like a job half done. And there might be a reward. The tall minotaur looks around the dark, cramped tunnels, and he doesn't like what he sees. I'm definitely sticking with 'round the mountain', not 'under the mountain'. And we have a gold dragon baby to find. Hey, you. Seen a gold dragon baby recently?
Effort nods quietly. Something about this place is alluring to her, despite the obvious dangers thrown in her face. She feels stronger here, more powerful... it's tempting to want to stay. She looks at Cadmael, who is giving her an unblinking stare with his unsettling eyes.
"... it might be better to return to the surface," she says reluctantly. "Lest we lose sight of our original goal... to find cultists, not abominations in these mines."
"Gold dragon?" Thurnar raises an eyebrow. "Last gold dragons are supposed to be up a bit further north, in the tallest peaks and valleys of the White Wind Mountains. I suspect you'll make your way there soon enough. That's where the other talhunds are as well. Although I haven't had any visions or messages from them 'bout dragons. Especially not gold ones. I was beginning to think their continued existence was just a rumor."
Thurnar begins to pack up his camp, stuffing things haphazardly into his bag. "Not sure what kind of reward the village is going to be able to muster. Although I'd appreciate the company out of here." He looks over to Effort and gets a bit more serious. "Cultists, aye. I've heard rumblings of them serving one of the demon lords. 'Round here though the concern is whatever is sending these things up from the dark. Might be that the two forces are at odds. Don't know. But I ain't never heard of gnolls and ghouls hanging around the same spot."
DM - Above & Below
Less talk, more walk, says Brask. He sets off back the way they came, towards Burik's village, shaking his head. Demons and ghouls and dog cultists, he mutters. Well, so long as I'm getting paid, it's all good.
On the way, he will try to tempt Cadmael over to spend some of the journey perched on his shoulder. There may be scritches on offer...
Cadmael ruffles his wings and looks aloof.
Effort rolls her eyes, however, as she can practically hear the bird drooling in her mind. If you want affection that badly, go over and take him up on his offer, she tells the bird. You're certainly not getting it from me right now, little traitor.
Cadmael opens one eye halfway to glare at Effort, before taking wing and settling on Brask's shoulder. His aloof stance would be much more effective, if he wasn't ducking his head invitingly towards Brask's waiting finger, though.
"Yes, let's get out of here. It's making some of us act a bit strangely," Effort says with a smirk towards Cadmael.
Don't forget your duties even if you enjoy your new perch, she reminds Cadmael. If something attacks us, those head massages are going to vanish quickly.
Cadmael's eyes open fully, though he remains where he is.
Cadmael perception: 11
You start to head back out the way you came. Getting back over the rock fall is tough work, but between the four of you it's done within a few minutes. The rest of the way is mostly easy going. Cadmael does perk up a few times. There is movement elsewhere within these tunnels...it's hard to pinpoint where. Echoes coming from deep within.
Burik and Thurnar continue to lead you out the most direct path - the way you came in. Two or three times something catches Thurnar's eye and he goes over and picks at the wall with his axe. "Hmph." He drops the pieces of rock onto the ground. Must have been nothing.
The stale air of the deep tunnels slowly transforms as you climb upward into the main part of the mining operation. It becomes a bit fresher, and you sense that you're almost back out.
DM - Above & Below
As they walk through the tunnels, out of idle curiosity Effort tries to guess what Thurnar was looking for. The third time he discards a rock after grunting, she stops to pick it up and turn it over in her hands a few time. Then she studies the wall where it came from thoughtfully.
Investigation 5
If the rock is as worthless as Thurnar believes it to be, Effort simply tosses it back to the ground and follows the others out. She relays the information Cadmael presents to her:
"Cadmael can sense movement within the mountain... we may want to warn the village that whatever is out there, is growing more active. Maybe placing wards or alarm spells at the entrance of the mine, where it's still relatively safe, might be advisable... if you cannot halt what is down there right now, at least you can have the villagers prepared to defend or flee against what might come out."
The rock you pick up looks like...well, a rock. You can't find anything interesting about it as you turn it over in your palm.
"Movement, huh? I've encountered quite a few critters down here...cave fishers all over, piercers, darkmantles, even an angler worm far off in the depths. Couple of dogmoles hanging around near the entrance, too. Could be any one of those things scampering around near the gold veins or down where they mine for gems."
The big dwarf is right that it wasn't coming from one place, Cadmael reaches out to Effort. Movement from a few different directions. Maybe different sizes...too distant to tell.
DM - Above & Below
Dogmoles? What’s a dogmole? Brask is idly smoothing Cadmael as he walks, enjoying the bird’s silent company.
So, you folks dig here all the time, right? Some of these... things you mentioned, they’re normal, right? I mean, there’s monsters everywhere, that’s just how the world is. But others are new?
Brask is now only half listening to the rest of the conversation, as he continues to pet Cadmael and wonders how dogmole tastes.
"Dogmoles are...well, they're kind of what they sound like. Big moles the size of dogs. They often burrow into dwarven tunnels and then end up nesting there. Some ancient families even kept them as pets. They can be nasty, but if you feed 'em and keep 'em safe they make loyal companions." Thurnar stops to take a swig from his water skin, which you presume is filled with cave fisher blood. "Aye, most of these creatures have been down here all along...though they seem to have become more brazen in recent times, coming up to the surface and attacking folks when they typically would stay in the depths. And the undead ghouls...they're new. Bad omens, to be sure."
DM - Above & Below
"Desecrated ground... it sounds like you need holy men in here, not adventurers," Effort says. She looks at Burik. "What do you think of all this? You've been unusually silent about what we saw down there. Are you really going to be okay if we push forward down the coast?"
Once they get closer to the surface, Effort thinks about the rainstorm they weathered getting to the village. "...maybe I'll also pick up a tent before we push on. The weather outside was almost as unpleasant as this mine's depths."
"I think by the time this thing reaches a full boil, we're going to need everyone we can get. Holy men and atheists alike," Thurnar takes on a much more serious tone.
You finally emerge back out of the tunnel, with the sun mid-way up the eastern sky. There's a chill, but it doesn't bother you as the fresh air fills your lungs.
"Well, I know where I'm heading," Thurnar pats his stomach. "Be sure to find me before you leave town."
Effort, you can find a tent for 2gp.
DM - Above & Below
Brask also gets a tent. Good idea.
He looks around the village, and calls out in a loud voice: We killed your monster. Um, one of 'em.
(Is there any response?)
I like your village, he says to Burik. Good people. Good place to grow up. Visit sometimes. He shakes his head. Not for living. Not for making money or getting ahead. That's what it's all about, and it ain't happening here. He pats his maul. Rest up tonight I guess, but it's time to move on, eh?
As you all exit the tunnel, a few dwarves on the outskirts of the village notice you and watch as you start to come down the hill. When Brask speaks up, even more stop and watch. A handful nudge each other and whisper back and forth. Most continue walking through the village, watching and walking, but a few stop and stand nearby, waiting to hear what the hulking minotaur has to say.
DM - Above & Below